Islanders @ Canucks

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Islanders (35-23-9)

@ Vancouver Canucks (35-27-6)

Starting Goalies:

Semyon Varlamov (NYI): Confirmed

Thatcher Demko (VAN): Confirmed

Current odds:

New York Islanders: (+105)

Vancouver Canucks: (-125)

• The New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks appeared to be on the fast track toward the playoffs before stumbling over last two weeks with just one combined win in their last 12 outings. The Islanders and Canucks aim to get pick up speed at the other’s expense on Tuesday when the teams meet in British Columbia. New York, which dropped its sixth in a row (0-3-3) following Saturday’s 3-2 setback to Carolina, hopes a change of scenery will be just what the doctor ordered as it hits the road to begin a four-game trek. “It’s great playing at home, but if you can get some wins on the road that’s a serious morale booster,” Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said. “It’s you guys only on the road and you’re a little wolfpack for the week. A big road win would really boost morale.”

• New York has recorded a point in each of its last nine encounters (6-0-3) versus Vancouver, but the Canucks skated away with a 4-3 win on Feb. 1 after rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes capped a two-goal performance by scoring in overtime. Vancouver has slid down the congested Pacific Division rankings with five losses in its last six games, including Sunday’s 2-1 setback to Columbus.

• While the winless stretch has dampened their spirits, the players received a boost on Monday after seeing defenseman Johnny Boychuk return to practice for the first time since receiving 90 stitches to close a laceration to his eyelid last week. “It’s nice having him around the room,” Barzal said of Boychuk, who was injured after being hit by a skate blade in a game against Montreal. “After something like that, sometimes a guy might take some time off and hang out at home, but he was at the rink the next day having some laughs and a big smile on his face. That’s kind of Johnny and we love having him around the room.” While Boychuk visited Vancouver, forward Casey Cizikas skated on Long Island on Monday as he works his way back from a leg laceration sustained versus Philadelphia on Feb. 11.

• Elias Pettersson, who had an assist in the first meeting with New York, recorded his fifth point in four games after turning on the jets and scoring on a partial breakaway for his team co-leading 27th goal in the second period on Sunday. “I was angry. It woke something up inside of me,” Pettersson said of sitting in the penalty box prior to his goal. “I saw the puck, so I wanted to race and score a goal. I use my anger as fuel.” J.T. Miller, who shares the team lead in goals, boosted his club-best totals in assists (44) and points (71) with four and six, respectively, over his last four games.

• Vancouver G Thatcher Demko owns an 8-3-1 record in 13 appearances at home this season.

• New York D Ryan Pulock has scored a goal in three straight games.

• Miller had a goal and an assist in the first encounter with the Islanders.